DCNS To Help Russia Place Kamov Helicopters On BPC Vessels

Russia will receive two BPC-type projection and command vessel from DCNS under the contract that came into effect in 2011. The BPC vessels are being designed to accommodate Russia’s requirements to hold Kamov and other Russian helicopters. The design modifications are being conducted in two phases. The first phase ended in April 2012 with the successful completion of the Preliminary Design Review. Detailed design studies were launched immediately afterwards, and this second phase is scheduled for completion in September 2012. The first BPC is expected to be delivered in 2014 and second in 2015. BPC has a length of 199 meters, displacement of 22,000 tonnes and a speed in excess of 18 knots can offer global projection capability for troops and materiel, including heavy helicopters and landing craft. The BPC concept was co-designed by DCNS and STX France to deliver inherently multirole vessels meeting the needs of many navies and ideal for a wide range of civilian and military missions.